Sadly, this summer there has been an uptick of motorcycle fatalities on Long Island roads. This past Sunday, a Ronkonkoma man was killed in a three-vehicle accident on the Southern State Parkway in Baldwin early Sunday, State Police said. The man was thrown from his motorcycle and struck by a taxi, police said. Earlier this month a Hicksville motorcyclist died in a two-vehicle crash on the Meadowbrook State Parkway in North Merrick Saturday morning, state police said

Last month there were additional fatalities with three of the deaths occurring within an eight day period. On July 11th, a 27-year-old man was killed after his motorcycle collided with a car in Centereach Monday night, police said. On July 9, a 23-year-old motorcyclist died after a 95-year-old driver cut him off in West Babylon. A 20-year-old man was killed in a crash between a motorcycle and a flatbed track in Westbury on July 2 after the motorcycle went through a red light, police said.

The point of this blog isn’t to publish or promote all of the fatal motorcycles accidents that have happened this summer on Long Island, but to bring attention to the reality of the actual danger and the sad fact that motorcyclists suffer more injuries and are at a higher risk of death due to the lack of protection riding in the open air.

So what can be done? Riders really need to action these steps:

Obey Traffic Rules

It’s The Law! Even though you may be an experienced motorcyclist, you must obey all traffic rules. Follow the speed limit and stop at red lights and stoplights and do not weave in and out of traffic.

Ride Defensively

“I didn’t see him!” is the claim many drivers say when involved in an accident with a motorcyclist. That’s why it is crucial to ride defensively at all times. Check your side mirrors regularly and always be aware of your surroundings.

Wear the Appropriate Gear

Protect Yourself! Wearing protective gear is key in reducing your risk of serious injuries in the event of an accident. Before you get on a motorcycle, remember to put on leather clothing, gloves, boots with non-slip soles and a helmet.

Don’t Ride When Tired

Stay Alert! Riding a motorcycle requires a lot of coordination and focus, so you must be alert. That’s why you should never get on a motorcycle if you feel very tired. If you are drowsy, it can reduce your reaction time and increase the risk of an accident.

Improve Riding Skills

Advance Your Skills! The more advanced your motorcycle riding skills are, the less likely you are to get into an accident. Consider taking motorcycle training classes to improve important skills, like performing emergency maneuvers, riding on different terrain and safe braking.

Inspect the Motorcycle for Faulty or Non-Functioning Equipment

It’s Better to be Safe than Sorry! It’s crucial to inspect your motorcycle periodically to makes sure the equipment is functioning properly. Otherwise, you can put yourself in danger of getting into an accident. For example, if you have faulty brakes, you may have trouble stopping on a hill and rollover. If your engine isn’t functioning properly, it can die in the middle of the road and lead to a deadly crash. If you suspect something is wrong with your motorcycle, you should take it to a repair shop as soon as possible.

If you or a family member were involved in a motorcycle accident that caused injury or death, contact Siler & Ingber for a free case evaluation. Contact 1-877-718-6079 to speak to one of our attorneys from our winning legal team.